In Re Lisa Laser USA, Inc.

In this mandamus petition we are asked to review a trial court’s refusal to enforce a forum-selection clause designating a California forum for any lawsuits “arising out of’ a distribution agreement. The clause was in an exhibit to the agreement, signed by all the parties, but the exhibit specifically referenced only one of the two defendants sued. We hold that the trial court abused its discretion in failing to enforce the clause, and we conditionally grant the petition.

Relator Lisa Laser Products, oHG 1 (“Lisa Germany”) is a German partnership that manufactures lasers for use in various…